Friday, December 26, 2014

Rumors by A C Arthur Sneak Peek

Her death tore them apart. Will solving her murder bring them back together?
Best friends Landy, Tenile, Nicole, Nathan, Justin, and Kareem were the golden children of Tanner University. Their paths were set: doctors, lawyers, business moguls, they were going to light the world on fire. Then, two weeks before graduation, Landy was murdered—and Nathan was blamed. Though he was never charged, vicious rumors drove him from town, and the circle of friends broke.
Ten years later, Nathan is back in Tanner, determined to clear his name. He’s asking questions no one wants answered, and soon rumors threaten to divide the community once more. Everyone in this small town is keeping big secrets—especially Landy’s old friends—and someone is willing to kill to keep their darkest deeds buried. . . .

The window was open. Long sheer white drapes blew with the breeze, stretching like arms toward the bed where she lay. Her large hazel eyes were wide and focused as she struggled to get free. Blood pumped hot and fierce through his veins as he watched her. She was beautiful. She was his. Just like she used to be.
Before they changed her.
Blood trickled down her face, its darkness marring her perfect skin. This wasn’t what he’d planned. He hadn’t meant to hurt her but she hadn’t been acting like herself. She’d been saying things to him. Mean things. Things he knew they’d put into her head. And there was no going back now. No stopping what was meant to be.
He’d tied her hands and feet to keep them still. Breasts, full and plump, strained against the thin material of the sundress she wore. It had shifted as she’d squirmed, rising above her hips, showing off her long legs.
He’d taped her mouth, which made her appear helpless, but he knew better. She knew how to hurt him. She’d done so many times before.
But tonight would be different. He was in charge now and he’d made sure she knew it. His heart hammered mercilessly against his rib cage. This had to be done. She’d left him no other choice.
Looking down at her, he remembered happier times. Times when he believed that she would be the shining star in his life. Kneeling beside the bed, he blinked against his own tears, needing to hear her voice just once more. With slow, deliberate motions, he pulled the duct tape from her lips. They were chafed from the tape, a red bruise boxing them in, blood marring that otherwise perfect part of her face.
“Please, let me go,” she rasped.
He smiled, the sound of her voice filling his head, flooding his heart with a gush of inexplicable emotion. Tears streaked her face, running alongside blood. With a trembling hand he wiped both away.
“Please,” she whispered again.
“I love you,” he said, then lunged one last time.
Soon she went still. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, feeling peaceful at last. In life, she’d been everything light and good.
In death, she was his, forever.

Artist C. Arthur was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland where she currently resides with her husband and three children. An active imagination and a love for reading encouraged her to begin writing in high school and she hasn’t stopped since.
Working in the legal field for more than twenty years now she’s seen lots of horrific things and longs for the safe haven reading a romance novel brings. Her debut novel Object of His Desire was written when a picture of an Italian villa sparked the idea of an African-American/Italian hero. To date, Artist has written in several genres including, young adult paranormal (written as Artist Arthur, www.artistarthurbooks.com), erotic romance as Sapphire Blue, a sensual contemporary romance following the loves and life of The Donovan Family, and most recently a sexy paranormal series titled The Shadow Shifters, both written as A.C. Arthur (www.acarthur.net).
Determined to bring a new edge to romance, Artist continues to develop intriguing plots, sensual love scenes, racy characters and fresh dialogue—thus keeping the readers on their toes!
Artist loves to hear from her readers and can be reached through her contact form or via email at acarthur22 @ yahoo.com (without spaces).

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